UPDATE: Mission house fire called suspicious

A fire that destroyed a Mission home on Monday morning is being called suspicious.

Mission Fire Rescue Service was called out to the fire on Dewdney Trunk Road, close to Harms Road at about 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 2.

When crews arrived, the home was already fully involved with flames visible in several windows.

The smoke could be seen from as far away as the Abbotsford-Mission Highway.

Mission fire chief Dale Unrau said no one was home at the time of the blaze so there are no injuries to report.

“It was basically fully involved from the ground all the way up to the ceiling by the time crews got on site. Which is a bit abnormal for a mid-day fire call in a subdivision when usually somebody around spots it and phones it in,” said Unrau, adding that “the fire is considered suspicious at this time.”

Fire investigators are still on scene, along with the Mission RCMP, to determine the cause.

Despite the best efforts of fire crews, the home was destroyed by the blaze.

“The unfortunate part about it is the renters living in the home didn’t have any insurance.”